Best Payroll Software for Small Businesses in 2027

Payroll is the one HR process nobody notices until it goes wrong. A late tax deposit, a missed state registration or a miscalculated overtime check costs money and trust, and for a small business without a payroll specialist those mistakes land on the founder or office manager. The right payroll software automates the calculations, files the taxes and pays people on time, so you can spend those hours on hiring and running the business instead.

Quick answer: For most US small businesses, Gusto is the best all-round payroll software: transparent pricing, full-service tax filing and an easy setup. Choose Rippling if you want payroll, HR, devices and apps in one system that scales as you grow. Pick BambooHR Payroll if you already run BambooHR as your HRIS and want payroll in the same place. OnPay is the best value for straightforward payroll, Patriot Software is the cheapest option if you are comfortable with a lean product, and Deel is the pick when you employ or contract people outside the US.

Last updated November 2026. Prices checked on 5 November 2026; vendors change pricing often, so confirm before you buy.

Some links in this guide are partner links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. It does not affect our rankings.

Quick comparison

Platform	Best for	Starting price	Free trial/plan
Gusto	Most small businesses	$49/mo + $6/person	No free trial listed
Rippling	All-in-one HR, payroll and IT	From $8/employee/mo plus base fee (quote)	No; free startup program for eligible VC-backed companies
BambooHR Payroll	Existing BambooHR customers	Quote on request (add-on to HR plan)	Free demo
QuickBooks Workforce	QuickBooks Online users	$88/mo + $6.50/employee (bundled with QuickBooks Online)	Promo: 50% off for 3 months
RUN Powered by ADP	Support and compliance depth	Quote on request	Promo: up to 6 months free payroll
Paychex Flex	Businesses that want HR services and room to grow	Quote on request	Promo: free payroll months for new clients
OnPay	Best value, niche industries	$49/mo + $6/worker	First month free
Patriot Software	Lowest cost	Basic Payroll $17/mo + $4/worker	30-day free trial
Deel	International teams and contractors	Contractors from $49/mo; EOR from $599/employee/mo	No free trial listed

We compared these platforms based on vendor documentation, pricing pages and user reviews. If you also need a broader HR system, see our guide to the best HR software, and for the hiring side, our roundup of recruiting software.

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1. Gusto: best payroll software for most small businesses

Gusto is the default choice for many US small businesses because it does the essentials well and tells you what it costs up front. It runs payroll, calculates and files federal, state and local payroll taxes, handles W-2s and 1099s, and layers on benefits, time tracking and basic HR as you grow.

Best for: US small businesses that want full-service payroll with clear, published pricing.

Key features:

• Full-service payroll with automated tax filing and year-end forms
• Pays both W-2 employees and US contractors; contractors are billed only in months you pay them
• Three tiers (Simple, Plus and Premium), with more HR tools and support on the higher tiers
• Optional Time & Attendance Plus add-on
• Benefits administration and basic HR tools alongside payroll

Pricing: Simple costs $49/month plus $6 per person; Plus is $80/month plus $12 per person; Premium is $180/month plus $22 per person. Gusto repackaged its plans for new customers in October 2026, moving some compliance and HR features into add-ons or higher tiers, so check its pricing page for what each plan now includes.

Limitations: Per-person fees climb quickly on the Plus and Premium tiers, so a 40-person team pays noticeably more than on OnPay or Patriot. Gusto does not list a free trial for its main plans, and its core strength is US payroll; international employees need a separate solution.

Skip it if: You have a meaningful number of staff outside the US, or you want a single platform that also manages devices and software access.

2. Rippling: best all-in-one HR, payroll and IT platform

Rippling is a workforce platform where payroll sits on top of a single employee database. A new hire or salary change flows into payroll automatically, and the same record can trigger laptop provisioning, app accounts and benefits enrollment. That makes it a strong choice for small companies that expect to grow quickly or already employ people in several states or countries.

Best for: Fast-growing companies that want payroll, HR, benefits, devices and app access managed from one employee record.

Key features:

• Automatic calculation and filing of federal, state and local payroll taxes
• Pay employees and contractors in one run, including global payroll from the same system
• Unlimited payroll runs at no extra charge
• HR data (new hires, raises, terminations) syncs into payroll without re-keying
• 650+ integrations, including Xero, QuickBooks and NetSuite for accounting
• Optional PEO and global employment products

Pricing: Rippling says plans start at $8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee. Payroll pricing depends on headcount and the modules you choose, so you need a quote. Eligible US VC-backed startups can get free access for six months.

Limitations: Pricing is not transparent, and costs add up as you bolt on modules. The breadth of the platform is overkill for a five-person business that only needs to pay people twice a month, and setup takes more effort than simpler payroll tools.

Skip it if: You want the lowest monthly cost or a payroll-only tool you can set up in an afternoon.

3. BambooHR Payroll: best for teams already using BambooHR

BambooHR Payroll is an add-on to BambooHR’s HR platform rather than a standalone product. Its appeal is that employee data, time off, time tracking and benefits live in the same system that pays people, which removes a common source of payroll errors: re-entering data between two tools.

Best for: Companies with US employees that already use (or plan to use) BambooHR as their HRIS.

Key features:

• Federal, state and local payroll tax filing and W-2s for US employees
• Managed Payroll option with a dedicated payroll specialist who handles updates and deadlines while you approve each run
• Payroll Assistant that flags unusual changes and compares each run with the previous one
• Multi-rate pay, prorated payments, garnishments and an audit trail
• Employee self-service for paystubs, withholdings and direct deposit details
• Accounting integrations with QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite and Sage Intacct; 401(k) via Human Interest

Pricing: BambooHR does not publish payroll pricing; it is a paid add-on to the Core, Pro or Elite HR plans and requires a quote. BambooHR offers a 15% discount when you combine Payroll and Benefits Administration with any plan.

Limitations: Payroll covers US-based employees only. International staff need local payroll integrations (UK, Australia, New Zealand), a marketplace partner or BambooHR’s Employer of Record service. You also need a BambooHR subscription, so it is not the cheapest route for a business that only wants payroll.

Skip it if: You do not use BambooHR and are not planning to adopt it as your HR system.

4. QuickBooks Payroll (now QuickBooks Workforce): best for QuickBooks Online users

In 2026 Intuit renamed its payroll tiers (Core, Premium and Elite became Workforce Payroll, Workforce Premium and Workforce Elite) and expanded them into QuickBooks Workforce, a broader HR suite built partly on GoCo, the HR platform Intuit acquired. The main reason to choose it is the tight link with QuickBooks Online accounting.

Best for: Small businesses that already run their books in QuickBooks Online.

Key features:

• Payroll that posts directly into your QuickBooks Online books
• Time tracking, including mobile time tracking
• Hiring tools: job postings, applicant tracking and offer letters
• Health care enrollment, PTO requests and workers’ comp access
• 401(k) plans that sync with payroll
• AI Payroll Agent that validates data and flags inconsistencies

Pricing: New customers buy it bundled with QuickBooks Online. On 5 November 2026 the pricing page listed Workforce Payroll + Simple Start at $88/month and Workforce Payroll + Essentials at $125/month, each plus $6.50 per employee, and Workforce Premium + Plus at $203/month plus $10 per employee, with 50% off the base price for three months.

Limitations: You are effectively paying for accounting and payroll together, so it only makes sense if you want QuickBooks Online. The product has changed a lot in 2026, so check which features sit in which tier before you commit.

Skip it if: You use Xero or another accounting system, or you already pay separately for an HR platform.

5. RUN Powered by ADP: best for support and compliance depth

RUN is ADP’s payroll product for small businesses. ADP’s scale shows in compliance coverage and support: it tracks tax and HR regulation changes across all 50 states and offers 24/7 access to real-person payroll support.

Best for: Businesses with 1 to 49 employees that want a large, established provider and round-the-clock support.

Key features:

• Four packages: Essential Payroll, Enhanced Payroll, Complete Payroll & HR+ and HR Pro Payroll & HR
• Automatic federal, state and local payroll tax deduction and filing; W-2 and 1099 preparation
• ADP Assist, an AI assistant that flags likely payroll errors
• Recurring payroll automation (RUN & DONE)
• Add-ons for health insurance, retirement plans and workers’ comp
• Higher tiers add state unemployment insurance, garnishment payments and HR support

Pricing: ADP does not publish prices; you request a quote. At the time of writing ADP advertised up to six months of free payroll for new small business sign-ups (check the terms).

Limitations: Without published pricing it is harder to compare, and many features (bill pay, contractor payments) are provided by third parties with possible additional fees. Expect a sales process rather than self-serve signup.

Skip it if: You want transparent, self-serve pricing you can sign up for in minutes.

6. Paychex Flex: best for businesses that want HR services and room to grow

Paychex is one of the largest US payroll providers, and Paychex Flex is its payroll and HR platform. Its small business packages range from basic payroll up to bundles that add HR tools and services, and it positions itself as a provider you won’t outgrow.

Best for: Small and midsize businesses that want payroll plus access to HR services from one provider as they grow.

Key features:

• Automatic payroll tax calculation and filing
• Flags missing time punches before you run payroll
• Configurable payroll dashboard, HR analytics and compliance alerts
• 24/7 employee self-service portal
• Integrations with other business tools
• Paychex Promise: up to seven days of payroll cash-flow flexibility

Pricing: Pricing is quote-based and varies by payroll frequency and number of workers. A promotion running until 24 November 2026 (unless extended) offered new clients with 1 to 250 employees up to six free payroll months through April 2027, with a one-year agreement required.

Limitations: Quote-only pricing, a one-year agreement for the current promotion, and separate fees for setup, time and attendance and other services make the true cost harder to pin down than with Gusto or OnPay.

Skip it if: You are a very small team that wants a simple, low-cost, month-to-month subscription.

7. OnPay: best value full-service payroll

OnPay keeps it simple: one plan, one price, with full-service payroll, multi-state filing and support included. It also caters to industries with specific payroll needs, including restaurants, farms and agriculture, and nonprofits.

Best for: Cost-conscious small businesses, including restaurants, farms and nonprofits, that want full-service payroll at one simple price.

Key features:

• Federal, state and local tax filings, including Forms 941 and 940, W-2s and 1099s
• Unlimited pay runs and pay schedules
• Payroll for workers in as many states as needed at no extra charge
• Direct deposit, check or debit card payments
• Optional HR add-on (onboarding, PTO, org charts, compliance audits)
• Free onboarding, account migration and employee data migration

Pricing: Payroll Essentials costs $49/month plus $6 per paid worker per month. The HR add-on is $15/month plus $2 per worker. New customers get their first month free.

Limitations: OnPay is US payroll first; HR and benefits tools are lighter than Rippling’s or BambooHR’s, and it has fewer integrations than the largest platforms.

Skip it if: You want an all-in-one HR suite or need to pay people outside the US.

8. Patriot Software: best low-cost payroll

Patriot Software offers some of the lowest published prices in payroll. Basic Payroll calculates pay and taxes while you file and deposit taxes yourself; Full Service Payroll takes tax filing and deposits off your hands.

Best for: Very small US businesses on a tight budget, especially those comfortable handling some tasks themselves.

Key features:

• Basic Payroll: tax calculations, free direct deposit and unlimited payrolls
• Full Service Payroll: Patriot files and deposits federal, state and most local taxes, with year-end W-2 filings included
• Covers all 50 states (each additional state beyond the first costs $12/month)
• Free, USA-based support by phone, email or chat
• Optional time and attendance and HR add-ons

Pricing: Basic Payroll is $17/month plus $4 per worker; Full Service Payroll is $37/month plus $5 per worker. At the time of writing Patriot offered a 30-day free trial followed by 50% off for three months. There is no free payroll tier.

Limitations: The interface and feature set are lean. Standard direct deposit takes four days unless you qualify for two-day processing, Full Service does not support Form 943 for agricultural businesses, and multi-state payroll adds monthly fees.

Skip it if: You want built-in benefits, robust HR tools or faster standard direct deposit.

9. Deel: best for international teams and contractors

Deel started as a way to hire and pay people internationally and now also offers US payroll. Its US product calculates and files payroll taxes in all 50 states, with a self-serve option and a managed option that includes a dedicated payroll manager.

Best for: US companies that hire contractors or employees abroad, or want one vendor for US and global payroll.

Key features:

• US payroll with automated tax filing in all 50 states, plus W-2, W-4, new hire and termination filings
• Off-cycle runs and biweekly, semimonthly or monthly schedules
• Contractor management and payments in many countries
• Employer of Record (EOR) to hire full-time employees abroad without a local entity
• Integrations with HRIS, benefits, 401(k) and accounting tools; 24/7 support

Pricing: Contractor management starts at $49 per contractor per month, EOR starts at $599 per employee per month, and a US PEO option starts at $125 per employee per month. US payroll pricing is not published, so request a quote.

Limitations: Deel’s US payroll is designed for companies with fewer than 200 US employees, and if all your staff are in the US, a dedicated US payroll tool is usually simpler and cheaper.

Skip it if: Every employee and contractor you pay is based in the US.

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How to choose payroll software for a small business

Start with what you actually need to pay and file, then work out what else you want the system to do.

• Full-service vs. self-file. Full-service payroll files and deposits your taxes for you. Unless you have payroll expertise in house, pay for it; penalties for late or wrong deposits usually cost more than the subscription difference.
• Where your people work. Check multi-state pricing (Patriot charges per extra state; OnPay includes as many states as you need) and, for anyone outside the US, whether you need a global payroll, contractor or EOR product such as Deel or Rippling.
• Total cost at your headcount. Compare base fee plus per-person fee for your team size today and in 18 months. A tool that is cheapest at 5 people may not be at 40.
• Your HR and accounting stack. If you already use BambooHR or QuickBooks Online, their payroll products remove duplicate data entry. If you are choosing from scratch, an all-in-one like Rippling or Gusto avoids integration work.
• Contractors and hourly staff. Look for 1099 support, built-in time tracking and overtime rules if you pay hourly or tipped workers.
• Support model. Decide whether you want self-serve chat or a dedicated specialist (BambooHR Managed Payroll, Deel Managed Payroll, ADP and Paychex HR tiers).
• Contract terms. Promotions with free months sometimes require a one-year agreement. Read the terms before signing.

Payroll is usually the first HR system a small business buys, and it shapes the rest of your stack. If you are also hiring, see our guides to choosing an ATS as a small business and AI recruiting tools for small businesses. For a deeper vendor-by-vendor breakdown, SelectSoftware Reviews has a detailed payroll software buyer guide.

How to save time and money on payroll

Software is only half the answer. These habits cut the hours and costs of running payroll, whichever platform you choose.

• Automate tax filing. Full-service payroll that calculates, files and deposits federal, state and local taxes removes the most error-prone manual work and the penalties that come with it.
• Make direct deposit the default. Paper checks cost time to print, sign and reconcile. Every tool in this guide supports direct deposit.
• Connect time tracking to payroll. Letting hours flow straight into payroll removes re-keying and catches missing punches before you run payroll.
• Keep one employee record. Use payroll that syncs with your HRIS (or is part of it) so new hires, raises and terminations update pay automatically.
• Simplify pay codes and schedules. Fewer pay schedules, pay types and one-off adjustments mean fewer chances for errors and faster approvals.
• Use pre-tax benefits. Offering pre-tax benefits such as health plans, FSAs and 401(k) contributions can lower taxable wages for employees and, in many cases, the employer’s payroll taxes. Check the details with your accountant.
• Review every run before you approve it. Compare totals against the previous run; several tools now flag unusual changes automatically.
• Re-check your plan every year. As headcount changes, the cheapest tier or vendor often changes too.

FAQ

What is the best payroll software for small businesses in 2027?

Gusto is the best all-round choice for most US small businesses thanks to transparent pricing and full-service tax filing. Rippling is better if you want HR, payroll and IT in one platform, BambooHR Payroll suits existing BambooHR customers, OnPay offers the best value, and Deel is the pick for international teams.

How much does payroll software cost for a small business?

Most published plans combine a monthly base fee with a per-person fee. On 5 November 2026, entry plans ranged from $17/month plus $4 per worker (Patriot Basic) to $49/month plus $6 per person (Gusto Simple and OnPay). Rippling, BambooHR Payroll, ADP and Paychex quote prices individually.

What is the cheapest payroll software?

Patriot Software has the lowest published payroll prices among the tools we compared, starting at $17/month plus $4 per worker for Basic Payroll. Basic Payroll does not file taxes for you; Full Service Payroll starts at $37/month plus $5 per worker.

Do I need full-service payroll?

Most small businesses should choose full-service payroll, which files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes for you. Self-file options are cheaper but leave you responsible for deadlines and accuracy.

Can payroll software pay contractors and international workers?

Yes. Most tools here pay US contractors and issue 1099s. For workers outside the US, you need a global payroll, contractor management or Employer of Record product, such as those from Deel or Rippling.

Does BambooHR include payroll?

Not by default. BambooHR Payroll is a paid add-on to BambooHR’s Core, Pro and Elite HR plans, it covers US-based employees only, and pricing is available on request.